Over the course of this consultation period people have used this forum to post comments and share their views. As you’ve heard more about the proposals you may have reached a clear view that you want us to take into consideration.

We have set up an on line response form, and is the consultation draws to a close we would encourage you to express those views on the link which can be found here:

At the council’s Executive Board meeting on 16 July the proposals to expand Castleton primary school from 30 to 60 places per year and Hollybush primary school from 60 to 90 places per year with effect from September 2016 were approved.

There is now a one week period following the meeting during which these decisions may be called in for scrutiny – you can read more about scrutiny here: http://www.leeds.gov.uk/council/Pages/Scrutiny-at-Leeds-.aspx

Once this period is complete the proposals will move towards the planning application process.

As part of the process for identifying options to deliver more school places in the Adel area, a stakeholder event was held on 4 July based on the OBA (outcomes based accountability) methodology. Attendees at the meeting included school governors, head teachers, elected members, neighbourhood forum representatives, parent representatives and members of staff from the capacity planning team, highways and transportation teams, planning and built environment officers.

A number of options were suggested to help meet the growing demand for school places and we would like to hear views and comments on all of the options put forward. Alternatively, if there’s an option you feel has not been covered here please suggest it.

Demographic data showing children aged 0-5 years living in the area was presented and group discussions took place around this. Although there are sufficient school places in Adel for the existing population, participants view was that additional places are required due to housing developments planned in the area.

A summary of the suggestions put forward that would involve expanding existing schools:

Please note that these suggestions may not have been put forward by representatives of the stated school and therefore may not represent that school’s governing body view. In addition, there are also a number of practical barriers to some of the options put forward, including traffic and highways matters. Where sites or land use is suggested, this land may not be available or in Leeds City Council ownership and would therefore need further investigation.

Expand Adel Primary School from 1 forms of entry to 1.5 forms of entry (30 to 45 places in reception)

Expand Adel St John The Baptist C of E Primary School from 1 forms of entry to 1.5 forms of entry (30 to 45 places in reception)

Create a through school at Ralph Thorseby High offering primary and secondary school provision by changing the age range of the school from 11-18 to 4-18, utilising the land on which the former school was located.

Change the admissions policy of Adel St John’s C of E Primary School so only children nearest to this school get priority. The governing body of the school sets its own admissions policy.

Suggestions put forward that would involve new sites:

Please note that no new sites other than those mentioned below have been identified that are currently in council ownership and available for use that would allow the establishment of a new school. Any sites in external ownership would carry an acquisition cost.

Create a new 1 form of entry (30 places) primary school on the former site of the East Moor Secure Children’s Home. This would be very close to an existing good school. Also, the only route to establishing a new school is a free school or competition for a new Academy.

Create an annex to Adel Primary School offering additional school places at the former site of the East Moor Secure Children’s Home.

Move one of the existing Adel Schools, both currently 1 forms of entry (30 places) to an alternative site and rebuild at 2 forms of entry (60 places). Sell off the former site to help fund the project.

Build a new primary school out of the Adel area using council or privately owned sites. The only route to establishing a new school is a Free School or competition for a new Academy.

Create a new 1 form of entry (30 places) primary school on the PAS site off Otley Road. The only route to establishing a new school is a free school or competition for a new Academy. This land is not in council ownership.

This part of the consultation will run for 4 weeks, following which we will looking at all the feedback received during this time as well as information gathered at the stakeholder event, to determine the way forward.

Please note that all comments will pass through moderation before going live. This may take up to 48 hours but we will aim to process them quicker during office hours.

Data shows there is significant pressure on primary school places in the Roundhay area. Following a stakeholder engagement event and a period of on line discussion to identify a suitable solution to the issue the following proposal has been developed:

To expand Gledhow Primary School from 2 form entry (60 places per year group) to 3 form entry (90 places per year group)

To expand Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Primary School from 2 form entry (60 places per year group) to 3 form entry (90 places per year group)

A number of other options were discussed however many of these proved not to be viable due to constraints on site, cost, distance to area of pressure and highways issues. We are now taking comments on the proposals set out above. We are arranging a series of drop in sessions in the area to allow parents, residents and other interested parties to discuss the issues in person with officers from the school place capacity planning team, highways, planning and built environment teams. We will publicise these dates as they become available.

This phase of the consultation will run until the end of the summer term on 25th July. Following that a report on the consultation will be submitted to the Executive Board (the decision making body of the council) sometime in the autumn.

The previous discussion post is available below for viewing however to preserve the integrity of the thread we will only be approving comments on this post from now on. Please comment on this post.